Yes! The few times I've seen a LISP, I've also been struck by how
small and sort of mouse-like it seems, as if it were trying very hard
not to be noticed.  Songs, as you say, are bold and rather brassy.  Not 
sure how they actually compare size-wise, but Songs give the impression 
of being a fairly big sparrow, whereas the LISPs seem quite small.

Jane
(Shoreham)


On 9/20/2013 2:57 PM, [log in to unmask] wrote:
> Great job Eric in describing LISP and a terrific photo. On a good
> fall day down here in the banana belt I might see upwards f half a
> dozen LISPs. They are actually, i find, fairly common in suitable
> habitat. Two other ID features. Whenever I get on to a LISP I find
> myself thinking: what a cutie! Song sparrow, by comparison, are big
> bruisers and rarely  elicit this response. More seriously, LISP has a
> pretty characteristic call note. It is a quiet, rather electric
> sounding and urgent call, rather like the alarm call of dark-eyed
> junco. Once learned it is very characteristic.
>
> Hector Galbraith 802 258 4836 802 222 1916 (cell)
>